What’s our Special Connection to a Vintage Watch?

Watch Repair: At the bench with my Granfathers Sign. A verge fusee is shown partially assembled, as well as a complete lever silver case fusee in the center. Also shown to the rear is a Hamilton 972, and a Cyma Chronograph to the right.

Welcome!

When I was a kid one of my “hobbies” was sticking my hand behind our old brown couch seat cushions and feeling around for some forgotten lost item that slipped down in the couch. The couch had been part of our family for years before I was born, and when I found something (mostly old Cracker Jack toys from years past) it gave me a thrill, like finding some lost family treasure.

Recently while looking though some old boxes of my parents, I happened upon an old enamel sign reading “Larry Nordquist, Proprietor”. My Grandpa Larry owned a service station during the 1940’s in Ojai CA, and his sign was in almost perfect condition. I felt that familiar feeling of excitement in finding a family treasure.

Family timepieces (especially mechanical pocket and wrist watches) whether inherited or found by chance can also invoke that same special feeling. They connect us on a personal level to a time and person of the past. Even if we don’t have a family connection with the piece they can still fill us with wonder. Restoring them to working condition…bringing them back to life so they can be used again…..well that excites many of us.

I plan to use this blog to regularly offer articles and insights to those who share this interest, and will also serve as a natural extension to the ever growing repository of information found on TimePieceShoppe for owners of vintage and antique watches.